CELLULOSIC PRODUCT FORMING PROCESS AND WET FORMED CELLULOSIC PRODUCT
According to the disclosure, a wet form cellulosic product forming process and a wet formed cellulosic product are disclosed. The process includes providing a slurry, forming the slurry into a cellulosic product, dewatering the cellulosic product, and drying the cellulosic product. Further dewatering of the cellulosic product occurs through a non-mechanical mechanism.
1 . A wet form cellulosic product forming process, the process comprising:
providing a slurry;
forming the slurry into a cellulosic product;
dewatering the cellulosic product; and
drying the cellulosic product;
wherein the cellulosic product is further dewatered through a non-mechanical mechanism, the non-mechanical mechanism being provided by a soluble surfactant selected from the group consisting of a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.
2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the dewatering of the cellulosic product includes pressing the cellulosic product.
3 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the cationic surfactant.
4 . The process of claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 12-Carbon chain.
5 . The process of claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 14-Carbon chain.
6 . The process of claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 16-Carbon chain.
7 . The process of claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 18-Carbon chain.
8 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the anionic surfactant.
9 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the nonionic surfactant.
10 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the zwitterionic surfactant.
11 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the soluble surfactant is cetyl trimethylammonium bromide ((C 16 H 33 )N(CH 3 ) 3 Br).
12 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the soluble surfactant adsorbs on or within cellulosic fibers within the slurry.
13 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the non-mechanical mechanism increases concentration of solids beyond what is capable through mechanical mechanisms without damaging the cellulosic product.
14 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the non-mechanical mechanism reduces a hydraulic force correlating to a capillary force retaining water within or between a fiber of cellulose within the slurry.
15 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the non-mechanical mechanism increases concentration of solids in the cellulosic product by at least about 1% solids.
16 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the forming of the cellulosic product and the pressing of the cellulosic product dewaters the cellulosic product through a non-mechanical mechanism.
17 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic product is paper.
18 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic product is ceiling board.
19 . A wet formed cellulosic product forming process, the process comprising:
providing a slurry,
forming a cellulosic product from the slurry;
pressing the cellulosic product to dewater the cellulosic product; and
drying the cellulosic product;
wherein the cellulosic product is further dewatered through a non-mechanical mechanism during the forming and the pressing of the cellulosic product.
20 . A wet formed cellulosic product, the product comprising cetyl trimethylammonium bromide ((C 16 H 33 )N(CH 3 ) 3 Br).
21 . The product of claim 19 , wherein the wet formed cellulosic product is selected from the group consisting of paper and ceiling board.